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“Luce?” the voice repeats.
“Nikki?” I croak, my throat dry. I lick my lips to find them chapped and equally as dry. “Water?”
He brings me a glass of water and I drink greedily. It’s only a few moments later that I look down at my arm to find it in a sling. There’s only numbness where I’d gotten shot.
I frown as I start to recall the events of the day.
“Malia?” I ask with a whisper. “What happened? Is she alright?”
“We’re at the hospital. You passed out on the way,” Nikki explains. “Little Malia is in the newborn intensive care. I explained to them that the mother had never been for a check-up and they said they are going to run some tests and keep her overnight for observation.”
I nod along.
“A doctor saw you, too, and he had to clean your wound and stitch you up. He said you shouldn’t strain yourself for a while.”
“Noelle,” I shoot out of bed. “We need to go back.”
“I’ll go back. You stay here, Luce,” Nikki insists, but I’m not about to let him go alone.
“She’s my friend. I promised her.”
“You’re hurt, Luce,” he sighs.
“I don’t care. She’smy friend!” I grit out, ready to fight him on this if need be.
He regards me for a moment, his lips pursed.
“Fine. I can’t deny you anything, can I?” He gives me a sad smile.
“Will Malia be okay here? Who’s going to watch over her?”
“I’ve already taken care of that. I’ve hired a wet nurse for the time being—at least until Noelle is able to nurse her again. I’ve also appointed a few bodyguards to do rounds in the hospital in case Sergio sends anyone after her.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you.” I give him a tentative smile.
We don’t wait to be formally discharged and soon we’re back on the road. And in a little over two hours, we’re back at the hacienda.
Except…
“No. No, no, no,” I whisper as I get out of the car, stumbling to the ground.
The entire house is ravaged by fire. God… there are flames everywhere.
“No. She can’t be dead. I know she’s not dead,” I mumble incoherently as I drag myself up, running toward what’s left of the building. But I only get to take a few steps before Nikki’s strong arms are around my waist, holding me back.
“Please, Luce.”
“She can’t be dead,” I cry out. “No! Let me go!”
“No one could have survived that, Luce. Just look at it. It’s almost burned to the ground.”
“Let me go. Please,” my voice breaks.
Please….
But he doesn’t. Because there’s barely anything left out of the hacienda.
Nothing but debris and the memory of the girl who once saved me.
